Issue 18
February 2013
JAMES DRUMMOND
Cool under pressure
ALSO INSIDE:
Olympic legacy
Is university for
you?
The ‘secret parent’
Simply the best...
Looking forward
It doesn’t take long for a year to slide past,
Looking forward to the new one, looking back on the last.
We can dwell on our memories of one that’s just been
And each make our wishes for twenty-thirteen.
An obvious highlight that’s bound to impress
Was our national outbreak of sporting success.
We shared in their glory, each match and each race,
And thought how it might be to be there in their place.
We could be Andy Murray with his grand-slam success
Or Jessica Ennis, heptathlon princess,
Or perhaps David Weir with his four wheelchair golds
Or sprinting Mo Farah as his double unfolds.
We could be Ellie Simmonds as she swam for the nation,
Or Nicola Adams, our boxing sensation,
We could be Bradley Wiggins on his tour de France joy
Or six-gold Olympian Christopher Hoy.
Their moments of glory weren’t moments of course
But the outcome of focus, dedication, resource,
Those marginal gains squeezed from study and sweat,
Moving forward from each setback, overcoming regret.
Renewed inspiration from coaches and friends,
Determined, relentless, belief never ends:
The courage to say that whatever we’ve done
There’s more round the corner, the best’s yet to come.
So let’s carry that with us and realise our aims
And take our own inspiration from the Olympic Games.
You don’t have to be famous for your dreams to come true.
Determined and focussed, you just have to be you.
Written by Mr P Norris, Assistant Headteacher
How has 2013
started for you...?
2012? 2013?
Back
Cover
Welcome
Contents
WHAT’S INSIDE
4
Headteacher’s thoughts
5
Olympic legacy
What next for Wilmslow High School?
6
Is university for you?
Mrs Robinson looks at post 18 options
7
You’re hired!
What do employers look for?
8 & 9 Nature or nurture
Have you got what it takes?
10
Elite performer
James Drummond: Cool under pressure
11
Staff spotlight
Mr Shipp: mountain fitness
12 The
‘secret parent’
How can we support children through
high school?
13
Mr Tatlock’s top revision tips
How to prepare for the examination
season
14
Wider aspects of sport
Drugs in sport, women and hype
15
Simply the best....
Sporting success in pictures
Sporting champions 2012
Sports Awards Evening and Sports Day
Front Cover:
James Drummond: cool under
pressure. Year 11 student,
James Drummond, talks about
his cricketing goals in the elite
performer interview
CONTACT US:
Wilmslow High School,
Holly Road, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 1LZ.
Tel: 01625 526191 Fax: 01625 536858
email: reception @wilmslowhigh.cheshire.
sch.uk
Looking forward
It doesn’t take long for a year to slide past,
Looking forward to the new one, looking back on the last.
We can dwell on our memories of one that’s just been
And each make our wishes for twenty-thirteen.
An obvious highlight that’s bound to impress
Was our national outbreak of sporting success.
We shared in their glory, each match and each race,
And thought how it might be to be there in their place.
We could be Andy Murray with his grand-slam success
Or Jessica Ennis, heptathlon princess,
Or perhaps David Weir with his four wheelchair golds
Or sprinting Mo Farah as his double unfolds.
We could be Ellie Simmonds as she swam for the nation,
Or Nicola Adams, our boxing sensation,
We could be Bradley Wiggins on his tour de France joy
Or six-gold Olympian Christopher Hoy.
Their moments of glory weren’t moments of course
But the outcome of focus, dedication, resource,
Those marginal gains squeezed from study and sweat,
Moving forward from each setback, overcoming regret.
Renewed inspiration from coaches and friends,
Determined, relentless, belief never ends:
The courage to say that whatever we’ve done
There’s more round the corner, the best’s yet to come.
So let’s carry that with us and realise our aims
And take our own inspiration from the Olympic Games.
You don’t have to be famous for your dreams to come true.
Determined and focussed, you just have to be you.
Written by Mr P Norris, Assistant Headteacher
11
5
Welcome to the latest edition of High
Performance, packed with articles and
examples that relate to inspirational
performances.
The theme for this issue is ‘aspiring to be
better’, whatever your level of ability and
whatever your passion.
As I’ve said many times before, sport can
be such a powerful motivational tool, which
is why it is so important that the energy
and ‘buzz’ created by the summer Games is used to good effect.
Outstanding performances by role models or peers can
often be the inspiration that is needed to reflect upon our
own performances and ask that difficult question: can I do
better? This applies to all of us, whether you are revising for
examinations, learning an instrument, setting targets at work or
simply reflecting on your parenting skills; we can all improve.
Here at Wilmslow High School we aim to create an environment
that encourages student’s to have the confidence, courage,
resilience and creativity to constantly challenge themselves; not
to allow what they have currently achieved as being the limit for
their ambitions. Aiming high enough or realising your potential is
difficult, though a good starting point is to learn to respect failure:
mistakes equal great learning opportunities....and Wilmslow High
School is a one time opportunity, so seize the day.
I hope that this year is a successful and happy one for you.
Mr M Vincent, Assistant Headteacher
10
James plays for Lancashire
Cricket Club
Headteacher’s
thoughts...
During 2012, the Olympic year, we heard much about
the successes of our Team GB athletes and how they
achieved them. There were stories of hardship and
injury, defeat and endless training, lack of funding
and poor facilities that were obstacles to athletes’
performance and yet they won through, gaining the
most medals Great Britain has ever achieved in an
Olympics and Paralympics: truly a moment for national
pride and celebration.
What is it that drives us all, not just Olympic athletes,
to ‘high performance’? What, also, is it that drives
Wilmslow High School to ‘high performance’?
When Victoria Pendleton briefly dropped into school
during the homecoming celebrations to talk of her
cycling success at the Olympics she was asked by one
of our students about what motivates her. She said
that what motivated her was commitment….if she did
not train someone else in the world would be and that
person could then beat her and she would be letting
the team down. Basically ‘if not me, who and if not
now, when? was enough to make her train on dark wet
nights in winter, to train when she ached from exercise:
Victoria’s ‘high performance’…..it didn’t just happen
overnight!
As she said these words I thought of Wilmslow High
School: we are a team and the success we achieve is
because we want our students and school to do well.
Just as the Olympic athletes talked about hardship and
setbacks, hard work and few resources we too, as a
school, have had to cope with just the same to achieve
our ‘high performance’.
David Brailsford, the Head Coach for British cycling,
recently talked about Olympic success being
achieved through attention to ‘marginal gains’: Sir
Clive Woodward, former England RFU coach, talked
in the past about ‘critical non-essentials’ making the
difference: we think in the same way for Wilmslow High
School ……..what are some of our ‘marginal gains’ and
‘critical non-essentials’?
Our facilities are excellent and we improve and add
to them year in year out through relentlessly bidding
for funding: are these ‘critical non-essentials’? Not all
schools put as much emphasis on their facilities yet our
students, parents and staff tell us they are a priority:
I agree! A positive learning environment with modern,
clean, well looked after facilities enable students and
staff to work to their best in a professional atmosphere.
Educational visits and Xtra opportunities abound at
the High School: are these ‘marginal gains’? These
opportunities provide students to experience all that is
good about education and life, within and beyond the
curriculum: learning, enjoyment, developing the lifelong
skills of team work, working hard: training hard, taking
responsibility, coping with challenge, learning from
mistakes. These extra opportunities enrich learning
and give our students a ‘unique selling point’ as they
move on into adult life with the skills that make them
responsible citizens ready to contribute to society.
Our most important ‘critical non-essential’, as Victoria
Pendleton said, is our commitment: we are not here to do
an average job….we have a never ending commitment
to improving standards and achievement, to creating a
culture and ethos based on mutual respect, to ensure
that everyone has a high quality experience at the high
school be they a student, parent, visitor or member
of staff. Our success in achieving ‘outstanding’ high
performance is based not on ‘critical non-essentials’
but on ‘critical essentials’…….it didn’t just happen
overnight!
“ High performance…….
it doesn’t just happen
overnight!”
4
London 2012 provided many memories that will last a
lifetime. Jessica Ennis claiming gold in the heptathlon, Mo
Farah in the 5000m and 1000m, Sarah Storey achieving
so much in the cycling and the super Ellie Simmonds in the
swimming! This was only a glimpse of the many other teams
and individuals who represented our home nation so proudly
throughout the Olympics and Paralympics.
Although these athletes are the stars, many world leaders,
politicians, journalists and general public believe the real
success of the London 2012 Olympics was the thousands of
volunteers who ensured every aspect of the Games ran like
clockwork. The commitment of these ‘Games Makers’, many
of whom have dedicated a lifetime to inspiring youngsters
and developing sport in communities around the UK was the
real success of the London Olympic Games.
One of these Games makers was our very own Mrs R
Harris, Wilmslow High School’s School Games Organiser.
Inspired through her work and volunteering activities, which
engages 1000s of young people in sport, and especially
inspired by the Young Ambassadors, Mrs Harris was
chosen as one of 70,000 Games makers from over 250,000
applicants. She spent two weeks in London as a Games
maker at the Aquatics Centre. Shift work often starting at
6am, and finishing at midnight was exhausting. But this
was an experience of a lifetime, developing new skills,
meeting new people and rubbing shoulders with Sir Steve
Redgrave, Tom Daley, Kobi Bryant and Jonathan Edwards
to name a few. Mrs Harris is now looking to volunteer at the
Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, and has also set her
sights on Rio in 2016.
At Wilmslow High School we will be putting together a team
of ‘WHS Games makers’ who will support the running of the
level 1 inter-house competitions, and level 2 secondary and
primary competitions at the school.
The best team members will be selected to be part of
the Event Services Team and support the running of the
prestigious Cheshire and Warrington Winter School Games
being hosted by Wilmslow High School on 15
th
March 2013.
Students will have the opportunity to lead in officiating
various sports, working as journalists, photographers,
creating the media, as well as general helpers to ensure we
replicate the overwhelming success achieved by the London
2012 volunteers.
In order to ‘inspire a generation’, we will be providing
opportunities for our students to become qualified coaches
and officials in a wide variety of sports. After the successes
of the hockey officiating course, ‘quick sticks’ coaching
course, JSLA young sports leaders’ award, JFO football
course and trampolining coaching course, we are aiming
to equip students with the skills necessary to make a
difference in sport, both in and out of Wilmslow High School.
If you were inspired by the London 2012 Olympic Games
and would like to be a part of the ‘Olympic legacy’ at
Wilmslow High School please see Miss Humphreys in the
Olympic Hall PE office.
Who knows, you could be part of the next Games Maker
movement at a future Olympics or Paralympic Games!
If you would like to read
an excellent article about
volunteering after the Games,
go to: www.guardian.co.uk/
sport/2012/aug/09/london-
2012-volunteers-games-
makers
THE OLYMPIC
LEGACY?
What next for Wilmslow High
School?
So the question is: what now? What
does the Olympic legacy leave? More
specifically, what are we doing at
Wilmslow High School to ensure the
legacy has a lasting impact?
5
Mrs Harris (second from right) pictured here
with other members of the Games makers team
Whilst figures for students applying
for university are declining nationally,
here at Wilmslow High School, they
are still on the increase, with 87% of
students in Year 13 applying this year.
However, this is not a decision that
should be made lightly – it requires
careful thought as what you decide is
likely to impact on the rest of your life.
You may think that you have a very
clear idea what you want to do after
leaving Wilmslow High School, or
you might not have a clue! Whatever
your current perspective, you need to
take time to ask yourself the following
questions:
What motivates me?
The days of
a “job for life” are gone; chances
are you will have a number of
“careers” in the future. But what really
motivates you: challenge, money,
job satisfaction, helping others or a
particular interest?
Do I want to continue studying or
do I want to start earning?
Think
university is all about the social
life? Wrong! You will be committing
yourself to three, or more, years’
study and must be excited by this
prospect. If you would rather be
earning your own money, there are
other options, such as vocational
training or apprenticeships.
Do I think I want to go to
university?
If your answer to this
question is “yes”, you still have many
more questions to ask and many more
issues to think about. Remember: a
university degree is not necessarily a
passport to a high paid career.
Why do I want to go to university?
Is it for the education or the social
life? Are you giving in to peer or
parental pressure? Going to university
must be the right decision for you,
not other people. Researching other
alternatives to university will help you
confirm that you are making the right
decision.
Do I even need to go to university
for my chosen career?
For a number
of industries and careers, a degree
isn’t required or necessary. If a degree
isn’t required, you may still wish to
go to university for the academic and
personal experience, but be clear
whether or not this will provide any
practical benefit afterwards.
Do I know what I want to study and
why?
Are you choosing the course
because you truly enjoy the subject or
because you can’t think of anything
else? What are the employability
statistics for similar graduates? You
don’t want to find yourself with a
degree and lots of debt but no job….
What are the financial costs?
Many
students assume that their parents
will pick up the university bill - in most
cases this is unlikely! You’ll probably
need to make use of student finance
and loans to help cover the costs but
don’t panic - it is the norm that most
graduates have student debt and
remember that you won’t have to start
paying this back until you are earning
a graduate level salary (over £21k).
Also beware of the scaremongering
in the media! Financial concerns
needn’t be a barrier to anyone going
to university and many advise that
it’s better to see tuition fee loans as a
“graduate tax”. That said, still do your
research so that you know what you
are signing up for and whether it will
pay dividends.
At Wilmslow High School, we try to
give you opportunities to sample
different kinds of courses and
future careers. However, there is a
great deal of information out there
and many many opportunities; we
can’t cover everything in school.
So, whatever your aspirations, be
proactive – we can give advice and
make suggestions but, ultimately, the
decision will be yours!
Whatever your chosen route,
Higher Education, apprenticeship
or employment, you will still need to
obtain the best possible examination
results to persuade institutions or
employers to accept you. This means
you can’t just drift along hoping
something will turn up… it won’t!
Successful people tend to be those
who plan ahead. So, be prepared to
devote considerable time and effort to
thinking about the next stage of your
life – it’ll be worth it!
TO GO TO UNIVERSITY OR NOT TO GO TO UNIVERSITY?
IS THAT THE QUESTION...?
Mrs Robinson discusses the various options open to students once
A levels are behind you.
6
You’re hired!
Three employers who have links with the
school tell us what they look for in an
employee
Catherine Mackenzie
(Director of Mackenzie Marketing, Wilmslow)
“I want people who are confident and have good
interpersonal skills – so walk tall, have a good handshake,
smile and look at me. I am also looking for enthusiasm
and interest – have you
researched my company?
Finally, you have to convince me
that I should hire you!
Marketing is about
communicating with others
and convincing them that they
should purchase your product or
service. The marketing industry
covers a broad spectrum of jobs
from website design, search engine optimisation, public
relations, event organisation, producing brochures and
advertising.
Each job requires a different set of skills; but generally for
marketing jobs, you need to be creative and organised,
commercial (so you understand how business works) and
be able to communicate and put yourself in the audience’s
shoes.”
Russell Burling
(Senior Partner - PFC Premier
Football Coaching)
“In my industry (football & sports coaching/sports event
management) the interview is a crucial part of our recruitment
programme. In as little as 15 minutes, I can find out a huge
amount about the candidate and their suitability to a career in
sports coaching. The key points I will mark are:
Punctuality: always be on time, never be late.
Appearance: smart, clean appearance shows that the
individual is prepared to make an effort. Body language is also
important: never slouch in your seat, sit up.
Communication: speak clearly,
do not mumble, don’t be afraid
to show your personality, this is
what the employer wants to get
to know at an interview.
Ask pertinent questions:
again, this will give the
employer confidence in your
communication skills. Do not
ask “what will I get paid?” believe me, I have been asked that
question on many occasions in interviews.
And remember, always keep learning, be polite and helpful
and show equal respect for everyone in your company no
matter what their role is. Good luck!”
“You can have the
most incredible CV,
however, if you are a
poor communicator,
it is highly unlikely
you will get the job”
Stephen Miles – (General Manager, Radisson Blu
Edwardian Hotel, Manchester)
“Working in the hospitality industry is one of the most
exciting opportunities in the world of work, as the
atmosphere changes daily with a new intake of guests,
who all have differing needs.
If you want to work in the hospitality industry, you need
to be very customer-focused, with excellent people skills.
As the word “hospitality” implies, the industry is all about
pleasing and exceeding guests expectations.
When interviewing young people into our business we look
for enthusiasm for the industry as well as initiative, forward
thinking and those with a great personality.”
“From the
moment you walk
into the interview
room, I am
considering if you
are right for my
company.”
Year 10 students participate in work experience for
one week in the summer term.
7
8
NATURE OR
NURTURE?
In this article Mr Mackintosh, Assistant
Headteacher, asks are skills learnt, or do
performers simply have natural ability? This is an
age-old debate central to many discussions around
talent and unquestionable sporting
achievement.
Nevertheless, some common ground is agreed by all: hard
work and practice will contribute to overwhelming success
either individually or as a team. In a sporting context this
is linked to terms such as ‘perceptual narrowing’, ‘goal
setting’, ‘cue-utilisation’, ‘learned helplessness‘ and many
more in depth theories.
Essentially they all revolve around performers knowing their
capabilities and what they need to do to achieve them, working
hard, being praised for doing well and if they’re not doing well,
being held accountable.
Apply this same principle to education and we create
hard working, thoughtful, happy and motivated
students.
So, can we unravel a debate that has been going on for
some time and make a useful comparison for students
at Wilmslow High School?
The belief has to be yes! We can learn valuable
lessons from sporting investment and research and
apply the same principles to creating achievement in
school.
At Wilmslow High School, staff, students and parents
alike will make reference to the
“Wilmslow Way”.
Quite rightly, this is not underpinned by any high brow
academia but by what the sports psychologists have
referred to as the ‘basics’. So what are the key ingredients that build the foundations for
success the Wilmslow Way?
Naturally there is no magic formula. However, following a few of the basics will certainly
contribute to a more positive outlook. There will be failures and issues along the way but, if
all our Olympic athletes gave up the moment things got difficult, we would have no medal
winners.
At Wilmslow High School it should be no different, and there is an overwhelming belief
that each and every one of our youngsters has the potential to achieve real success if they
desire it.
REPETITION
Contrary to popular belief “practice”
does not “make perfect”. Rather perfect practice
makes permanent. If students consistently have the best conditions for practice in a quiet
or engaging classroom at school, or a study area at home, information is more likely to pass into the long term memory.
On a more basic level, establishing good routines, both in school and out, provides these highly important foundations.
Turning up smartly dressed, well equipped and organised creates the perfect practice conditions required.
The more permanent result of
this is that it becomes second
nature (like a well rehearsed
skill). These simple things
are then performed more
automatically and the real
challenges of developing new
and thoughtful responses
can begin to be programmed.
Therefore, don’t underestimate
the power of constantly
reminding youngsters of
getting the basics right and
never apologise for repeating
yourself. Repetition and reinforcement only strengthens the
message and will lead to building success.
GOAL SETTING
Students need to know where they are going, given
aspirations then supported along the way. Everyone in the
organisation needs to be in agreement. This is referred to
as the ‘Whiteheadian culture’ but simply means everyone
working towards a common goal. The more aware students
are that parents and teachers are working together for
their primary interest, the greater the chances of success.
The school supports this guidance every day in lessons,
through Student Services support, careers guidance and,
no doubt, parents plant the same aspirational seeds. The
clearer the students’ idea of what they want to achieve,
the more likely they will strive to do just this. The more
regularly this is reinforced the more likely it is to happen.
DIFFERENTIATION
We are naturally all different. In every good team you want
players who contribute different qualities in different ways.
Youngsters are no different. Success for one student may
not be success for another. Different students will have
different ‘hooks’, it is important that we as staff and parents
recognise that success can come in different forms. If
a love of learning can be generated and the realisation
that you are only in competition with yourself then simply
you will be striving to do your best. This is an important
message to constantly reinforce.
CONSEQUENCE &
ACCOUNTABLITY
Building this success is based around an awareness of
what will happen if we don’t do things right. In a school
context, parents and teachers need to work together to
highlight the value of ‘threat’ to students. If school and
home work in partnership, and both sanction when things
don’t go right, students will be less likely to misbehave.
However, the real reward needs to be intrinsically desired
by the student. Wanting to achieve has to be at the centre
of the messages our students receive. Without this they
don’t achieve or meet their potential. As a school, various
sanctions encourage students to value their learning and to
help them strive for achievement. Similarly, receiving this
same message consistently from parents, reinforces the
importance of getting the basics right.
9
When did you first take an interest in cricket and who
was it that attracted you to the sport?
“I’ve always had an interest in cricket mainly due to
the fact that my Dad has always played. It was when
England regained the Ashes in 2005 when I really became
hooked.”
What is it that you most enjoy about playing cricket?
“Cricket may be a team sport but like a lot of sports,
cricket allows an individual to shine in a number of ways,
whether it be with bat or ball or even fielding.”
Briefly detail your cricketing achievements (highest
score/rep teams etc)
“I have played for Cheshire since U11s.
I represented North England U15s in 2012
I am now on the Lancashire Academy.
My highest score is 101no for my club, Toft CC”
What are your cricketing aspirations?
“I would eventually like to play for the
Lancashire CC senior side and go on to play
first class cricket.”
How important is it to set yourself
SMART goals, and what are your goals
for this coming season?
“It’s very important.
My SMART goals for this season are to:
● maintain a high level of fitness
● score 700+ club runs
● score a century for Wilmslow High
School 1
st
XI
● help my school team to win as many cricket
matches as possible!”
Which current professional player do you most
admire and why?
“Alistair Cook – he is a team player, maintains high level of
fitness and works hard at his game and for England.”
What does your current training programme consist
of?
“A mixture of interval and strength and conditioning
training.”
Have you received any support from
school with your cricket development
and/or managing your time?
“Yes, Mr Vincent is my mentor.”
In your opinion, apart from high levels
of skill, what does it take to become a
top class professional?
“In order to become a first class/
professional player you need to have high
fitness levels and good mental toughness
as you come in and out of form regularly during a season.”
What is the best sports advice you have been given?
“Whatever the situation always try and remain positive.”
What are your plans after Year 11?
“Sixth form and then univeristy.”
What is your biggest strength and is there an area of
your game you know needs improvement?
“My biggest strength is my decision making under
pressure, however, all areas of my game constantly
require improvement. I am always learning from my
mistakes and trying to become a better all-round player.”
What advice would you give to any keen Year 7s who
would like to follow in your footsteps?
“It’s important to set yourself realistic goals and if you
are prepared to work hard you will give yourself the best
possible chance to achieve them.”
Elite performer interview
JAMES
DRUMMOND
Cool under pressure
10
This issue’s ‘elite performer’ is a sporting all-rounder
though his main passion is cricket. Ever since James joined
the High School in Year 7 he has consistently performed
at a high level and has been a role model to his peers,
in all ways. Yes, James is a talented young man, but he
has worked hard to be where he his today: determination,
focus along with mental and physical strength are all key
aspects of James’s development.
Captain of the U15s in 2011
James receiving his north England cap from
England cricketer Jonny Bairstow
This issue’s ‘elite performer’ is a sporting all-rounder
though his main passion is cricket. Ever since James joined
the High School in Year 7 he has consistently performed
at a high level and has been a role model to his peers,
in all ways. Yes, James is a talented young man, but he
has worked hard to be where he his today: determination,
focus along with mental and physical strength are all key
aspects of James’s development.
The Cordillera Huayhuash mountains of Peru were made
famous by the epic tale of Joe Simpson’s “Touching the
Void.” These mountains are steep and impressive.
In August 2007, Steve, Paavo and I are giving it everything we have
on each mountain we try, only to be sent back to base camp empty
handed and a few pounds lighter. Circuit training in a gym pales in
comparison to laps on 5,000m and 6,000m mountains. We have all
been sick with stomach bugs for over a week, and at 4,100m, base
camp is not the ideal place to recover. In
spite of malfunctioning bodies, we keep
trying.
To lighten our rucksacks for the arduous
climbing, food rations are limited. A meagre
gruel of noodles each night is paltry in
relation to the 1,000’s of calories our
bodies are burning every day. Despite us
weakening, there is no talk of giving up, but
the mountains have other ideas.
At the foot of the mighty Yerupaja, winds are crushing the tent.
Inside, my hands are numb as I clasp the violently shaking poles,
gusts of wind lifting the groundsheet beneath me. We retreat from
the stunning West Face of Jirishanca with an impending storm. With
only a few days left of the “holiday” we return to the main town of
Huaraz.
Boosted by a few good meals and a night in real beds, we convince
ourselves that there is just about enough time for one final attempt
on a big mountain. To go faster and lighter we leave the tent and
sleeping bags and take only the minimum of food and fuel.
We hike up to 5,000m and spend a frigid night overlooking the
glacier, “sleeping” until the 1.00am alarm. The weather is perfect
and we make our way to the summit of a fine Andean snow pyramid.
However, we have underestimated the effects of the previous weeks
of effort, and our climbing is slow. We are all looking haggard and
feeling the cold despite the strong sun. After 3 weeks of back-to-
back climbing and various defeats, we finally reach the 6,025m
summit of Artesonraju. The feeling of relief and satisfaction is
wonderful.
As we break out wide grins and scoff a few celebratory sweets, we
realise we’ll miss our ride home. But, there is no point worrying
about things you can do little about, and so just start the hours of
abseiling into the night. At 9.00pm we climb off the glacier with
wobbly legs, and curl up under a thin emergency tarpaulin, wearing
everything we have. I even put my sunglasses on to keep my eyes
warm!
When I get home, I can take the belt on my jeans in by three
notches.
“THE WEIGHT
WATCHERS GUIDE TO
ANDEAN CLIMBING”
By Mr Shipp, geography teacher
“Mountaineering
requires will
power, physical
effort, a good
dose of luck, and
success is often
elusive”.
Sunset on Artesonraju, Cordillera Blanca, Peru. We ascended the
shaded South East face on the right.
Packed and ready to leave base camp for another defeat
in the mountains.
Paavo securing himself and the ropes to the mountain, storm
clouds arrive from the east as we attempt the west face
Cumbre! The top of Artesonraju. We cannot resist a classic cheesy
summit shot. By this point, we feel we’ve deserved it!
Left to right. Me, Paavo and Steve.
11
Staff Spotlight
Behind the scenes parents take on the emotional rollercoaster of trying to support
a child from Year 7 - 13. It may be a comfort to know that you are not alone. Here,
two unamed Wilmslow members of staff share their experiences of parenting.
Living with 15 year old twins (boy and girl) who have
GCSEs this year has brought me and my husband
pretty close to moving out and leaving them to it,
quoting the old addage “you can lead a horse to
water...”
Of course we can’t do that because we care too
much and we want them to succeed: we want them
to be healthy, happy, and to fulfil their potential, but
most of all, we love them and don’t want them to
make the same mistakes we did!
We try to strike a balance between school work and
revision, having fun and relaxing but the ‘default’
setting for my two is Facebook or Xbox. I have to
give them gentle reminders
(nag) about school work. If
that doesn’t work, I pull the
plug out of the wireless router!
Eventually they learn that
in order to do the good stuff
there has to be a small sacrifice.
There also comes a point when my husband and
I have to pick our arguments with them; if we are
being challenged as one of them ‘stomps’ upstairs to
do their homework, is it worth punishing the defiance
if they are on their way to do what you want them to?
We tend to let the ‘dust settle’, then make our point
very clear.
One thing is very obvious, at 15/16 years of age
they are trying to be grown up and independent, but
at the same time, they are desperately scared of
what the future holds. They swing between lashing
out and hating us one day and then hugging us and
looking for reassurance the next; bless them! But it’s
exhausting, walking on egg-shells and not knowing if
you are in favour from one minute to the next. We just
constantly remind each other that we are not alone
and that some day in the distant future we might be
thanked for our patience.
Secret parent ‘A’, Cheshire
Right from the start in Year 7 your child will have
regular homework. If you take an interest in your
child’s homework, it encourages them to take a
pride in it and they should then develop a regular
homework routine. There’s nothing worse than
homework that has to be in the next morning and no
one’s sure exactly what to do. It’s also good fun to
keep up-to-date with your child’s topics.
Year 11: yikes! Actual GCSEs – yes it’s here already!
Your child is beyond recognition from that sweet little
Year 7 child: now they ‘know it all’ and have all of the
answers ready when it comes to “have you done any
revision tonight?”
You need to be on top of what has to be in and
when, especially when it comes to coursework, as
time and space eludes most 16 year olds! They can
waste hours on that laptop, but what are they actually
doing....?
You can ask to have a look at their revision timetable,
which they should complete in school, if not, you
could help them to prioritise which exams come first,
or which exams they are less confident with and
might need more time on.
Make sure that they have a quiet
place to revise and doing so after
something to eat is usually a good
time. Also ensure that they have all of
the equipment that might help, such
as highlighters, index cards, coloured
pens etc.
Some young people are happy to revise alone,
whereas others might prefer some supervision and
to be tested occasionally. Also encourage your son/
daughter to take advantage of any revision sessions
offered in school and try not to nag! I’m sure they are
stressed enough.
When it comes to bribery, encourage your son/
daughter to do well for his/her own sake rather than
for money or to please you. Explain that exams are
not an end themselves, but a gateway to the next
stages of life. Good results themselves are the best
reward.
Secret parent ‘B’, Poynton
The ‘secret parent’
“We have to pick
our arguments
with them”
“Time and
space
eludes most
16 year olds!”
12
Every year just before the Easter break, I deliver an assembly to Year
11 students where I attempt to suggest how best to prepare for GCSE
examinations. The essence of that assembly is presented here and
as we approach this year’s examination season, parents can usefully
play their part by checking that all of the following pieces of advice
are in place for their sons and daughters:
Mr Tatlock’s top revision tips
PREPARE TO SUCCEED
I first heard the phrase, “If you
fail to prepare then prepare to
fail” said by Graham Gooch,
the England cricket team’s
batting coach on Test Match
Special. I’m not sure if it was
he who coined the expression
but the message is as valid
for students preparing to face
examinations as it is for Kevin
Pietersen about to face the
South African team.
•
Try to devote between one and a half to two hours to revision each
evening after school, and three to four hours at weekends
•
Work in 45 minute sessions with a 15 minute break between each one
•
During holiday periods such as half term or Easter, carefully structure these sessions by drawing up and using
a revision timetable
•
Look after the basics: sleep well and eat healthily. Build some physical activity or exercise into your daily routine
•
During revision sessions, take a complete break from social networking and avoid all contact with Facebook,
Twitter and your mobile phone
•
Avoid distractions such as television and non-educational
use of the internet
•
Make sure that all equipment and stationery is bought well
in advance, at very competitive prices from the school’s
very own ‘PrintWorks’ shop
•
Vary the type of revision you do: read your exercise
books and examination board approved revision guides
(available from the PrintWorks); complete past papers;
summarise topics in sets of postcard notes; test your
knowledge and understanding by explaining concepts to
parents or friends and use a range of websites such as
MyMaths, BBC Bitesize or examination board sites
•
Ensure that you have revised all topics in each subject by
drawing up a checklist to keep a record of your revision.
Nobody pretends that
revision is easy or fun!
Perhaps you could make it
more palatable by rewarding
yourself in small simple
ways – maybe a sweet or
a biscuit – each time you
successfully complete a
task. The hard work you
invest in a good, determined
revision programme will pay
handsome dividends and
rewards not only on results
day in August but also for the
rest of your life to come.
Good luck.
Mr Tatlock
13
The secret to doing well in exams lies in planning. You can help your child to create a clear revision plan and method
of studying that will make them feel in control of their work.
All the equipment need for your son’s/daughter’s revision can be
bought at Wilmslow High School’s stationery shop ‘The PrintWorks’
Kevin Pietersen takes a break from pre-test nets to receive
Mr Tatlock’s ‘top tips’ on texting! As you can see - he was
very grateful for the advice.
Who’s Nicole Cooke, though?
She’s won the women’s Tour de France, twice,
she’s won Olympic gold, and she’s won the World
Championship. She’s British. She’s the best female
cyclist of her generation. There’s never been even a
suspicion of drug abuse in her sporting history. And
she isn’t worth even a fraction of the money that Lance
Armstrong has.
Consider those five sentences, one at a time.
Firstly, Bradley Wiggins has won the Tour de France
once, and you’ve heard of him. Nicola has won
twice, and is nearly anonymous, despite her global
achievements; in fact, it’s only since she commented
on Lance Armstrong that she’s had much publicity.
Secondly, she’s British. We don’t get many Tour de
France winners, so you’d think she was worth a few
prime-time TV interviews.
Thirdly, she’s been supreme in her sport. We don’t get
too many of those, either, in the UK.
Fourthly, she’s reputedly clean of drugs, in a sport
tainted by them.
Fifthly, she’s a lot poorer than Lance.
So, what’s the difference between Nicole Cooke and
Lance Armstrong, that makes one the possessor of a
fortune and the other a near-unknown?
I’d say there are two key differences: gender, and
‘hype’. I’ve spoken often enough about discrimination
against women in sport, of which this a glaring
example, and I will again. But, for now, I’ll explain what
I mean about ‘hype’.
‘Hype’ is one of my favourite terms. It implies the
creation of a myth around a particular performer
or group of performers - and it’s particularly highly
developed in pop music, though slightly less so in
sport. A simple example would be when you ‘hype’
the singer discovered busking on an underground
station, but you don’t ‘hype’ the fact that he was just
augmenting his music college student loan, had
travelled in from home that morning, and was still living
with his millionaire parents in a mansion. Now you
know what ‘hype’ is.
The ‘hype’ around Lance Armstrong, when he
was winning Tours de France, was that all these
accusations of drug abuse were being made because
the French didn’t like their tour being won by anyone
who didn’t come from mainland Europe. Lots of people
fell for that ‘hype’ at the time. It played on nationalistic
prejudice, and it worked like a dream.
Then again, even more people fell for the hype around
the David Haye-Derek Chisora heavyweight boxing
encounter, in which an easy Wladimir Klitshcko victim
met someone who’d already lost to Tyson Fury, and
people paid around £15 to watch it, just because these
two supposedly didn’t like each other. The mutual hugs
at the end of their short match proved that not only
were they OK with each other; they were successful
business partners, too. Hype: it works, doesn’t it?
The Wider
Aspects of Sport with Mr Fredericks
DRUGS
IN SPORT,
WOMEN
AND ‘HYPE’
THIS MORNING (FRIDAY, 18
TH
JANUARY) I WAS WATCHING
EXTRACTS OF OPRAH WINFREY’S INTERVIEW WITH LANCE
ARMSTRONG, IN WHICH HE MADE HIS “CONFESSION”.
I’VE PUT THAT IN SPEECH MARKS, BECAUSE THE JURY’S
STILL OUT ON WHETHER IT REALLY WAS A PROPER
CONFESSION. NICOLE COOKE SAID “OF COURSE LANCE
ARMSTRONG SHOULD GO TO JAIL.”
Nicole Cooke
Lance Armstong on the Oprah Winfrey Show, January 2013
14
15
1st XI football - A successful start
to the season saw them progress
to the last 32 of ESFA national cup
competition
Jamie Frost has broken into the Burnley
FC youth team this season, playing at
both Old Trafford and the Etihad Stadium
in the cup against Manchester United
and Manchester City
Sam Broster and Sam Lawton
have both represented Sale Sharks
Academy side this season
1st XV rugby are having another
excellent season, both in terms of
Saturday morning fixtures and results
in the Daily Mail Cup competition
John Fogarty is a member of the
north west basketball team and has
also been selected in the initial U16
England squad
Saskia Swatland has represented
the north of England hockey team at
U18 level
Charlotte Foster is a member of the
north west judo squad and has won 4
gold medals and 1 bronze in various
tournaments over the past 12 months
Georgie Webster (U17 England
squad) and Iona Darroch have
been selected for the regional and
Manchester Thunder talent squads
James Drummond
represented north
England U15s in 2012 and is
also on the Lancashire Academy
Squad
Lincoln Strong is representing Team
Ultimate in the U37kg advanced
category. He won a bronze in the
European Taekwondo Championships
Luke James - following in brother
Sam’s footsteps, Luke is now a
member of Sale Sharks, EPDG
Ruby Peters has represented the
north of England hockey team at U18
level
Senior netball team - winners of the
Cheshire County Tournament
Following the north west and north
of England rounds of the national
trampolining competitions, a record
7 teams qualified for the 2013 British
National Finals to be held in Cannock
in March
U16 netball team - winners of the
Cheshire County Tournament
SIMPLY THE BEST.....
As we shiver in the February
freeze, cast your mind back to
a year of breathtaking sport that
culminated in two huge summer
events: yes, Sports Day and The
Sports Awards Evening. Two
events that celebrated all that
is great about sport at the High
School: effort, participation,
determination, leadership and
excellence. The first celebration
of sporting success took place at
a new venue, Wilmslow Leisure
Centre, with over 150 students
and 300 plus parent/guardians
in attendance. The audience
clapped and cheered the many
recipients and were treated to
a variety of entertainment that
included: an inspirational talk from
Rene Muelensteen (Manchester
United 1st team coach), dance
groups, rythmic gymnasts, Samba
drumming and ‘Xbox’ Olympic
challenges. The evening’s
male and female sports
personality awards went to
Elliot Rowe and Iona Darroch.
It was a fantastic celebration
of sporting achievement that
has now become a regular
event in the school calendar.
On a wet Friday in July, Bollin,
Harefield, Thorngove and
Norcliffe battled it out in a
Sports Day that was very nearly
cut short by the persistent rain,
but, in true Wilmslow spirit,
competitors, spectators and
staff were not to be defeated,
with Norcliffe claiming the cup
for the second year running.
SPORTING CHAMPIONS 2012
Mr Pickup interviews Mr Dooling (Jnr and
Snr). Mr Dooling (Snr) carried the Torch at
Tatton Park.
Mrs Bremner races Rene on the ‘Xbox’ sprint Rene gives an inspirational speech
Sports Leader awards Gymnast, Georgia Brown in action Sport leaders lead the audience
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